Taking Precautions to Avoid Swine Flu

H1N1 flu virus or novel H1N1 flu virus. is the main virus responsible for causing swine flu or influenza A in humans, it is characterized by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting.

It was in between March and April 2009 that this virus first caused illness in Mexico and the United States, it spread to other countries including India. As a result, in August 2010, the World Health Organization declared the infection a worldwide pandemic.

At present swine flu or H1N1 flu in humans has been declared as seasonal flu virus and also the vaccination is given seasonally or yearly. Another strain of swine influenza that is, H3N2 sprung up in humans in 2011.

Symptoms of swine flu

Fever

sore throat

cough

diarrhoea

vomiting

runny nose

body ache

chills

dizziness

confusion

lack of responsiveness

fatigue

nausea

headache

shortness of breath

How is swine flu transmitted?

The Swine influenza (novel H1N1 and H3N2v) is contagious, it is transmitted from person to person, through air. It is usually caused by inhaling the virus present in the air.

When the droplets of cough ,sneeze of the infected person is released into the air, if inhaled it can transmit into the other person’s respiratory system

The swine flu can transmit into humans by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose.

Swine flu is so contagious that if one individual in the house is infected by this virus, the other Individuals who are in close contact with the infected individual will be affected

The good news is that the other swine flu virus, H3H2v, does not spread easily from person to person

Who is at risk for swine flu?

People with some medical history and illnesses are always at risk for swine flu, due to weak immune system. Medical conditions that can place the person at high risk for swine flu include:

Diabetes

Heart disease

Asthma

Lung disease

Neuromuscular disease

Kidney problems

Weak Immune system

Prevention of swine flu

When an infected person sneezes or coughs millions of HINI virus can spread in the air and settle on the surfaces, things and places like door knobs, toys and many other objects, nothing is safe that is around the infected person. It is better to take precautions to keep yourself safe from getting infected with swine flu.

Here are some useful preventive measures to avoid swine flu:

Swine flu can be prevented with the yearly flu vaccine. It usually includes a vaccination against a type of H1N1 virus.

Use hand sanitizer frequently to prevent the virus from entering your body.

Avoid any contact with the infected people

Do not touch things that are around the infected person

Cover your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling virus present in the air

If you have flu like symptoms, visit the doctor, take the necessary tests and treatments to avoid any fatal incidence.